Heartthrob

The most wonderful thing about quilts is the people we make them for. 

I definitely designed this one with all of my sweeties in mind. I had a lot of fun making these scrappy hearts using some beautiful "Happy-Go-Lucky" fabric by Bonnie & Camille for Moda. I also used (and fell in love with) Robert Kaufman's "Yarn Dyed Flax in linen" for the neutral. 

The pattern is now available in both PDF and paper formats in the shop. You can use fat quarters, jelly roll strips, or scraps. 

One of my favorite things about Heartthrob is the bonus half-square triangle blocks leftover from the trimmings. They are each about 11 x 11"; I arranged sixteen of them together to make a quilt, but you could also incorporate them into the back. (The pattern includes instructions to make the bonus quilt.)

I ended up loving this bonus quilt so much that it inspired a separate pattern, "Seesaw." (It's not identical, but it's a pretty close.) I thought a few of you may want to make this bonus quilt without having to make the Heartthrob blocks, so now you can!

Who do you think about as you quilt?

Quilt Market

Quilt Market is in Portland this weekend. As always, I wish I was going. There is nothing like it in this whole world.

I did make a few projects for the Marcus Fabrics' booth. Remember I started with this pile of fabric a month ago? (Next Wave by Studio 37.)

 

Here are a few things I made from it. (In my haste, I didn't get pictures of everything. Here are a few of my faves.)

Using Violette Field Threads' Charlotte Pantaloon and Ginger Top & Dress patterns, I made this cute little outfit. I hope to be making another when I get more time! I also used Amy Butler's Sweet Harmony pattern to make the lovely yellow tote.

I made a ton of pillows, here are a couple of my faves:

And of course I made a couple quilts. Here is the scrappy new Zigzag Frenzy quilt:

I also got to play with some of this Visual Effects fabric by Studio 37. Here is a closeup of the Seesaw quilt. 

I may not be heading to Portland, but that doesn't mean I have a dull week ahead of me. My husband just finished law school so we are enjoying some quality time with him before he starts studying for the bar. This includes graduation, lots of family in town, and blessing this little guy this weekend. Check out the scrumptious fatty legs on this one.

New Patterns + Sale

I would love nothing more than to write a beautiful (detailed) post about my newest patterns, but I'm a little overwhelmed at the moment. Instead, I thought I'd do a quick intro and pattern sale! (I'll blog about them more later.)

First of all, I'm offering a 50% discount in my shop when you enter NIFTY50 at checkout. This is a bigger discount than I've ever offered and is valid for May 2013 only. Ready for a quick peek at new additions?

The first one is Zigzag Frenzy. It's a scrappy version of the original 37 x 45" favorite from my pattern shop. The pattern now offers instructions to make a large 66 x 70" version in addition to the original. The fabrics used are Studio 37's "Next Wave" from Marcus Fabrics. Love how it turned out.

 

Next is Heartthrob and I have been so antsy to finish this one because I like it so darn much. The heart blocks are so fun to put together, and that Happy-Go-Lucky fabric is just delish with Robert Kaufman's yarn-dyed flax. I already want to make another.

One of the things I really love about Heartthrob is the fact that it actually makes two quilts. When you make the heart blocks, the trimmings become beautiful half-square-triangles with hardly any effort at all. I sewed 16 of them together to make the quilt Lorenzo posed on recently.

I liked Heartthrob's bonus quilt so much that it inspired me to make the next pattern: Seesaw. (If you want to make the bonus quilt without having to make Heartthrob, this is the pattern you want. There are multiple quilt size options for this one too.) For this one, I used Studio 37's "Visual Effects" for Marcus Fabrics.

Those are the newest patterns, but I have many other patterns to choose from. Head over to my pattern shop and check them out! Don't forget to use NIFTY50 at checkout for your 50% discount.

Hibermate: The Pattern

Do you remember the cozy flannel man-quilt I made for my brother for Christmas? The free pattern is up over at Marcus Fabrics for your downloading pleasure.

Father's Day is just around the corner, and I don't think you can go wrong with the Primo Plaids for the manfolk. Just saying'. I have actually been wanting to get my hands on some more to make a little baby version for Lorenzo. Love this stuff. Oh and did you know Marcus Fabrics has a new collection of Primo Plaids (IV) coming out in September? I need.

Well, I've got to get back to work. I just finished the last of the quilt market projects and am getting them packed up and ready to ship. I'll get some photos up soon (though you can see some of them on instagram).

Raggedy Flaggedy

I'm sporting a reeeeeally cheesy grin right now.

That's my "Raggedy Flaggedy" pillow on the cover of McCall's Quick Quilts! I thought I'd share a little peek. It's an easy project to whip up in an afternoon.

To view the complete pattern, go grab a copy of McCall's Quick Quilts (June/July 2013). It should be on your local newsstand any day now. A big thanks to my friends at McCall's for being so great to work with!

I've had a few people ask about the buttons so let me tell you about them! They are these lovely wooden buttons called "Simple Stars" by Favorite Findings. I found mine at Jo-Ann's in the button section but they are also available online if you google them. Oh and obviously I painted them white.

Moda Bake Shop: Jumping Jacks

I am dang excited to show you my "Jumping Jacks" quilt that is over at Moda Bake Shop today. This fabric is the yummiest! (It's "Happy-Go-Lucky" by Bonnie & Camille.)

 

It's not the first time I've used "Happy-Go-Lucky" and it certainly won't be the last. This gorgeous stuff hits stores next month. YESSSSSSS!!!!

You can find my detailed tutorial on how to recreate this happy little quilt using a "Happy-Go-Lucky" jelly roll. Head on over to Moda Bake Shop today and check it out!

Tres Meses

I'm still working my tail off on quilt market projects, some Moda Bake Shop stuff, and a new pattern. I feel a little bad about neglecting the blog so I thought I'd sneak you a peek at a "bonus" quilt made from the trimmings of the pattern I'm working on.

Oh, and this guy. I don't think I could find a better model, do you? He is growing up too quickly.

Also, I can't wait until Moda's Happy-Go-Lucky hits stores in May. I can't get enough of it! 

Next Wave

Time flies when you're having fun! I just got some of Studio 37's "Next Wave" fabric collection from Marcus Fabrics. I've been busy trying to figure out what to make with these fun little bundles for quilt market next month. Aren't they lovely?!

 

As a result, I've got about seven different projects going on with plans to begin even more.  Have I mentioned before that I love my crazy life?! 

I love the title "Next Wave," probably because it describes my life all too well at this moment. A new baby, my husband graduates from law school next month, and we'll be moving in the next few months (destination TBA). Our first decade of marriage has been lots of school, it will be interesting to see how this next decade will look. All I know for sure is life is good.